The PCC decided to cancel the Pie and Pea Suppers as they were not generating enough for the effort that was needed to run them. These have now been replaced with fundraising evenings to be held throughout the year. The first of these ‘The Easter Eggstravaganza’ is on Tuesday 9th April at 7:15pm. We are asking for donations of Easter eggs and chocolates as well as tombola prizes. This is guaranteed to be an evening full of fun and laughter and with your support we can raise plenty for our church. Posters with more details will be out shortly. Any queries, questions or donations please speak to Suzi or Jay. Many thanks for your support.

It was encouraging that ten people came to walk the Stations of the Cross last Saturday. During Lent we often think of giving something up that we enjoy like alcohol, chocolate or cigarettes as a form of discipline, but with the obligation of giving the money we save to charity. Time is also something we can give in order to devote more of it to learning about the faith. When we walk the Stations of the Cross we are doing what many Christians have done before. Some would make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus though Jerusalem but this is not possible for everyone so many churches have pictures around the walls so that, by standing before them, we can think and pray about the suffering Jesus endured and the people he met on the way. The journey starts with Pontius Pilate, but who was he? Pilate was the Roman Governor of Judea from 26 to 36 A.D. His position depended upon his being able to suppress rebellion and impose Roman law with ruthless authority. Only theGovernor could impose a death sentence and so the religious leaders of the Jews had to bring Jesus to him for trial. The charges they brought of forbidding the payment of tax, and of declaring himself a king, were proved to be false and Pilate declared him innocent. When his accusers still insisted on punishment Pilate ordered that Jesus should be flogged. This was punishment enough as many people died under the lash of the spiked whip. The Jews were determined to have the death penalty imposed and questioned Pilate’s loyalty to the Emperor. ‘If you let this man go you are no friend of Caesar.’ This must have caused Pilate some fear and concern. He tried to bargain by offering to release one prisoner in honour of the Passover Feast, the notorious murderer, Barabbas, or Jesus. The crowd was stirred up to call for Barabbas. Now Pilate’s position was precarious. He washed his hands in front of the crowd to declare his innocence of Jesus’ death and ordered Barabbas to be released. At this station, while we contemplate the worst act of injustice ever seen, we think of Jesus’ suffering and also the suffering of many others in the world who have been condemned though innocent. We pray that we may pause before we condemn others without knowing the full facts. Marion

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE BISHOP OF WHITBY OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW PRIEST TO THE PARISH OF THE ASCENSION, MIDDLESBROUGH

The Reverend Emmanuel Nazir Masih has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of The Ascension, Middlesbrough.

Fr. Emmanuel served as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church before joining the Church of England. He studied at the Gregorian University in Rome and for ten years was a Roman Catholic Priest in his home country of Pakistan. For four years he was a college professor, as well as having extensive experience in writing and broadcasting.

But Fr. Emmanuel felt a call to the Church of England. He was received in our Diocese in Europe and served with the Anglican chaplaincy in Italy before coming to England to spend two years at Wescott House theological college in Cambridge. He has been ministering in the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth as an assistant parish priest since 2016. He is a priest associate of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Fr. Emmanuel is married to Fauzia. They enjoy walking and gardening and welcoming people to their home.

Fr. Emmanuel’s licensing will take place on Monday 25th March at 7.00pm.

The Bishop of Whitby The Right Reverend Paul Ferguson, says;” I am delighted to welcome Fr. Emmanuel to Middlesbrough. He comes with many special gifts and a real eagerness to lead the parish of The Ascension and build it up, sharing God’s love with the thousands of people who live and work in it. Please keep him and Fauzia in your prayers as they prepare to move here.”